ALBANY — The state Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would create a commission to scrutinize new health coverage mandates proposed in New York.

"The goal is to provide legislators with complete and factual information about the cost of a proposed mandate," said Milford Republican state Sen. James Seward, who sponsored the legislation.

The problem, however, is that no one in the Democratic-controlled Assembly has introduced the Seward bill in the lower house, meaning that for now, there's little chance of the legislation becoming law.

Otsego County Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Robinson — an outspoken opponent of unfunded health-coverage mandates — lobbied aggressively for passage of the Senate bill.

More than 50 newly proposed coverage mandates are filed each year with the Senate Insurance Committee, which Seward chairs. Such proposals, however, are often assailed by small business owners, who claim the unfunded mandates add considerable financial burden to their business costs.

Seward said his legislation would provide lawmakers with "solid answers" about the cost of each mandate before they reach the floor of the Senate and Assembly for a vote.